Regulation of TRP channels by phosphorylation.

The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a group of Ca2+-permeable cation channels (except TRPM4 and TRPM5) that function as cellular sensors of various internal and external stimuli. Most of these channels are expressed in the nervous system and they play a key role in sensory physiology. They may respond to temperature, pressure, inflammatory agents, pain, osmolarity, taste and many other stimuli. Recent development indicates that the activity of these channels is regulated by protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the literature regarding the TRP channel regulation by different protein kinases. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.